Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

USA has always been called "America". Europe the continent has been Europe the continent far longer than the EU has existed. Both are incorrect, and thankfully "The Americas" has caught on to fix one of these wrong labels. Besides, the continent has always been called North America, not America. There is no other label of Europe the continent than "Europe", so it's a flat out wrong label of the EU at best, and at worst it's offensive to those not living in the Alliance.


I have never understood calling Europe a continent. The division strikes me as political rather than geographic. And no, I can't be convinced otherwise.


Define 'always' ?

IIRC the USA hasn't really bee around all that long...


let's go with a practical definition like "within all living memory" which most people, I'm sure, presumed from context. very few people need their conversations to include the mental state of those dead for 200+ years simply to achieve some stringent ideal of correctness.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: